Agricultural Land Use

Subdivision of ALR land in the Township is governed by the ALC Act, along with the Township’s Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw.

There are multiple types of applications that can be made to the ALC, which require different processes managed by the Community Development Division.

This type of application for subdivision in the ALR may bypass the initial requirements of Council resolution and Agricultural Land Commission approval, and landowners may apply directly to the Township’s Approving Officer for:

1. A subdivision that does one or more of the following:
   • consolidates 2 or more parcels into a single parcel by eliminating common lot lines.
   • establishes a legal boundary along the boundary of the Agricultural Land Reserve.
   • resolves a building encroachment on a property line if no additional parcels are created.
2. A subdivision for which all the following conditions are met:
   • the agricultural land to be subdivided involves not more than 4 parcels, each of which is a minimum of 1 ha.
   • on subdivision, there would be no increase in the number of parcels and no parcel would be less than 1 ha.
   • the subdivision would allow for boundary adjustments that, in the opinion of the Approving Officer, will enhance farming on the agricultural land or permit better use of structures used for farming.

See Agricultural Land Reserve General Regulation; Part 2 - Permitted Subdivisions and ALC Policy P-01 for more details and to confirm eligibility.

This type of application involves a request for a particular use of land that is not permitted outright by the Agricultural Land Commission in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required.

See Permitted Uses in the Agricultural Land Reserve - Provincial Agricultural Land Commission for further information.

1. Review your property info
   • Use the GeoSource Mapping Tool to view:
     • Zoning
     • Approximate lot dimensions
     • Site features like watercourses, trees, and road access
   • Property details in GeoSource are for reference only. Confirm accuracy with a BC land surveyor (BCLS).
2. Explore the layer list in GeoSource
   • Activate the Environment layer to view watercourses and classifications.
   • Activate the Planning layer and select the Rural Land Use layer to display rural land use designations
3. Visit the ALC website (alc.gov.bc.ca)
   • Review the “Applications” section in detail. This section provides extremely valuable information regarding the ALC application process and what the Commission considers.
   • Review the “Application and Decision Search” section for previous ALR applications and ALC decisions in your general area and/or with similar proposals.
   • Review the “Resources” section for additional information such as policies and bulletins.
4. Talk to us early
   • Request pre-application comments from Development Planning staff. This helps clarify requirements and identify potential challenges up front.
   • Fill-in the Pre-Application Request Form
   • What happens next?
     • If your question is answered in the information available online, staff will refer you to the webpage. Otherwise, a Development Planner will provide initial feedback within 30 days.
     • If a meeting is needed, the Development Planner will schedule it directly.

1. Create a BCeID

ALR applications must be submitted online through the ALC Application Portal accessed from the ALC website. To log into the ALC portal, you must have a BCeID.

2. Get your paperwork ready

Collect all the necessary documents to submit your application.

3. Submit your application

ALR applications must be submitted online through the ALC Application Portal

4. Pay your fee to the Township

• After you have submitted your online application through the ALC Application Portal, you will receive an email with instructions to remit payment to the Township of Langley for your ALC application fee.
• There are currently no online payment options within the ALC Application Portal.
• The Township will begin to process your application only after payment has been received.

1. Staff review

Township staff review the application and reach out to you to provide comments or request additional information.

2. Report to Council

Following the review, staff prepare a report to Council with a recommendation.

3. Consideration

Where applicable, Council considers the application. Considerations include, but are not limited to:

• conformity of the proposal to Township policies and regulations.
• compatibility of the development with the surrounding area
• site constraints due to topography, watercourses, and other natural features.
• potential for the development proposal to trigger additional development proposals in the area.
• the history of development activity on the subject parcel and the immediate area.

Council may refer applications with recommendations to the ALC, or deny the application based on its merits.

4. ALC decision

If Council refers the application, the ALC reviews it, decides to allow or refuse the application, and then notifies the applicant and Township of their decision.

What happens next?

• For subdivision applications that are permitted, the applicant may subsequently apply to the Township for subdivision.
• For non-farm use applications that are permitted, the applicant may subsequently apply to the Township for a business licence, building permit or rezoning application.
• For applications that are refused, the applicant may request reconsideration by the ALC only if there is substantial new information or if the decision was based on information that was in error or false.

•  Township's Rural Plan
• Township’s Agricultural Viability Strategy
• Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw
• Agriculture Land Reserve Map
• Agricultural Land Commission Website (alc.gov.bc.ca)
• Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Act